Michael Atherton has weighed in on the ongoing debate over Harry Brook’s omission from England’s World Cup squad, stating he “couldn’t envisage a squad” which doesn’t contain Brook.

Speaking ahead of the second T20I between England and New Zealand at Manchester, in which Brook was playing, Atherton was asked his thoughts on the saga by Nick Knight. While Brook has been selected for the ongoing T20I series, he will not be part of the following ODI series and is not currently part of the 15-man group set to travel to India for the World Cup.

“Definitely,” Atherton replied to the question of whether he would’ve selected Brook in the 15. “Like many people I was surprised when he was left out. I couldn’t envisage a squad without Harry Brook actually, I think he’s an exceptional talent. Trying to understand the reason England have not picked him, it’s obviously a consequence of [Ben] Stokes’ return and the balance of the side – maybe his IPL form counted against him, he wasn’t particularly good apart from one hundred – and obviously the schedule has counted against him.”

Brook scored an unbeaten 43 off 27 balls in the first T20I at Durham to add fuel to the debate. Ten days ago in the Hundred, he hit the fastest century ever in the competition in his first innings after England’s World Cup squad was named.

Part of the reasoning behind Brook’s omission centres around the international schedule over the last few years. With England’s focus on Test cricket and the 2022 T20 World Cup, Brook’s ODI debut came after he had established himself in Tests and T20Is. He played three matches against South Africa earlier this year, scoring an eye-catching 80 in his second innings.

“If you’re an all-format player and you’re playing Test cricket and you’re playing in the IPL and the Hundred, you just don’t play many fifty over games,” said Atherton. “So he’s only played three. That said, I think he’s so outstanding I’d have to find a place for him in my World Cup 15.”

England have selected Dawid Malan in their squad, who will presumably make way for the return of their 2019 stars and act as the spare batter. With question marks over Jason Roy’s form and Malan able to bat in any position from one to four, his selection was preferred over Brook.

Malan has hit four ODI centuries in the last 14 months, and averages 54.92. However, he was dropped by Trent Rockets after a run of poor form in the Hundred, and was out for a four-ball duck in the second T20I against New Zealand. He did, however, score a half-century in the first match, helping England to a seven-wicket win.

“I can understand why they haven’t picked him,” said Simon Doull of Brook. “Would he be in my 15? Absolutely. They’re looking at loyalty, so I get why they’ve done it, but he would be in my side. If he was in my side I’d leave Jason Roy out of it. I don’t like to hear people say he should be there without a reason or someone that they’re going to drop. You can’t just say he must be in the side and not leave someone out so, you’ve got to name who you’re leaving out as well.”

Following Atherton and Doull’s comments, Brook smashed a blistering 67 off just 36 balls, including five fours and five sixes as England posted 198-4.

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